Congressman Self: Refusal of some NATO member states to recognize Kosovo undermines stability in the Balkans

US Congressman Keith Self has stated that the continued refusal of several NATO member countries to recognize Kosovo's independence is harming long-term stability in the Western Balkans and creating space for increased Russian influence in the region.

According to a statement released by the organization "Albanians for America," Self made these comments during a closing hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the US House of Representatives.

In his capacity as chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, the Republican congressman described Kosovo as "one of the United States' closest and most loyal European partners," emphasizing its strategic importance for NATO and security in the Balkans.

Self also recalled his involvement in planning the NATO intervention in 1999 against ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, saying that the state of Kosovo has demonstrated commitment to democracy, regional security, and multiethnic coexistence.

According to him, these elements constitute a strong argument for Kosovo's integration into NATO.

In a special statement during the session, the American congressman also spoke about former Congressman Eliot Engel, whom he called a "hero in Kosovo" because of his role and continued support for Albanians and the state of Kosovo.

Self said that Engel had understood the importance of Kosovo as a "crux of stability in the Western Balkans," while criticizing approaches that, according to him, praise Kosovo's allies in Washington but do not fully support its Euro-Atlantic integration and long-term security.

The US congressman's statements come at a time when Kosovo continues to seek greater international support for membership in Euro-Atlantic organizations, while five NATO member states still do not recognize its independence.

The GeoPost